The Houston Texans announced Tuesday that former quarterback Josh McCown has been interviewed for the vacant head coaching job. Yet the 42-year-old was still an active player until early 2021. Can this work? It would be a first in the NFL.

Munich/Houston – In the past, the Houston Texans have not always shone with a happy hand when it comes to personnel decisions. Not only did the integration of head coach Bill O’Brien as general manager turn out to be a flop, but his successor David Culley also only lasted one year.

Now the Texans announced that they are considering Josh McCown in addition to established candidates for the open head coaching position such as Brian Flores or Jonathan Gannon. Yet the 42-year-old was already part of the franchise last season – as an active quarterback.

McCown, the definition of “Journeyman “

McCown has undoubtedly had an unprecedented career, and it’s not officially over yet. If you search “nfl.com” for the name Josh McCown among retired players, there is no result. Officially, the Jacksonville-born playmaker has not hung up his boots yet.

If you had to explain the term “Journeyman” to a layman, McCown would be the living example. The 42-year-old has laced up his shoes for a whopping twelve teams, or 38 per cent of all franchises. In 2002 he was drafted in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals, only one player has been in the NFL longer: the seemingly never-aging Tom Brady.

However, McCown was almost never a full-time starter, which is one reason why so many teams are on his CV. In none of his seasons did he get to play the full 16 games.

“Coach McCown?” His qualities are appreciated

So why can McCown look back on a 17-year – count 2020 as an 18-year – career? After all, the average half-life of a player in the NFL is about three years. The answer: the qualities McCown brings to the table are valued league-wide, which is why he’s in the conversation for one of the coveted coaching jobs.

“He’s a very respected player in the league,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport said on NFL Network. Doug Pederson, former head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles also commented on McCown: “He’s seen it all, he knows our team, we can always count on him.”

There are also warm words from experts. “I think it’s a great idea,” says ESPN pundit Mike Tannenbaum: “He has the qualities to lead a team.” That is also the reason why McCown kept finding a new team. Most recently, he mentored Deshaun Watson, who, as is well known, no longer has a future with the Texans.

Nevertheless, there are of course critical voices, especially from fans. “What does McCown know about winning?” is one of the comments.

What does Josh McCown know about winning? Lol https://t.co/7tciqFpIsp

– RO (@RomanJr12_) January 21, 2022

From the huddle to the headset would be novelty – high school experience

Should Josh McCown indeed be named the new head coach of the Houston Texans, it would be a first. Never before has a player who is still active become head coach in the NFL the following season. There have been a few cases of players immediately joining the coaching staff, but never as head coach.

Nevertheless, the 42-year-old is not completely without coaching experience. In 2020, he was still active, but de facto assistant to quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly.

In addition, McCown was already serving as a high school’s offensive coordinator in 2019, after all. The Myers Park Mustangs were his son’s team.

So if the Texans really decide to give the job to their former quarterback, it would not only be a first, but a huge surprise. But if it could be worth it for a team not to bring in one of the usual suspects, it would be for the Houston franchise.

Because expectations that McCown might not be able to fulfil are almost nobody’s anyway due to the past months.